Went: Gaya airport was opened late on Wednesday night to facilitate emergency evacuation of a critically ill soldier from the Officers Training Academy (OTA) to Delhi. Indian Air Force Air ambulance.According to airport officials, Gaya airport director and air traffic control (ATC) in-charge Awadhesh Kumar received a call from Bihta Air Force Station late in the evening, demanding immediate activation of the airport for transfer of a patient requiring advanced treatment to Delhi.Since the airport’s ATC tower generally ceases operations after 5.30 pm, the request was initially rejected due to operational constraints. However, later the authorities approved it considering the seriousness of the medical emergency.Airport director Awadhesh Kumar said on Thursday, “Technicians and officers, who had already left after duty hours, were called back to resume operations and activate ATC services. At around 10 pm, an Indian Air Force air ambulance arrived from Lucknow and airlifted Selvan, a soldier posted at OTA, to Delhi for advanced treatment.”“As per information received from Army authorities, the soldier, who was suffering from liver failure, required immediate medical emergency care,” he said.Officials said emergency arrangements were made within a short time to ensure uninterrupted landing and take-off operations for the air ambulance. Airport staff reopened operational facilities and coordinated with Air Force authorities to complete the evacuation without any delay.The critically ill soldier was later airlifted to Delhi for specialized treatment.